CGA VP David Newman from McSweeney Newman Casting said that in the past 12 months those 10 have “stunned us, shocked us and taken us on journeys in auditions that will live with us for years to come.

“We feel [they] are not only rising stars but the group with the most potential to take their craft and talent beyond Australian shores and break through internationally.”

No doubt speaking for many in the room, Newman observed: “One of the greatest privileges of a casting director is to be an actor’s first audience. It’s the moment that reminds us why we’re actually here, what the job is really all about.

“It’s the audition where, as soon as we say ‘when you’re ready’ or ‘action’ the air in the room literally changes, the actor has left all the day’s troubles at the door, has retained their power and is brave and courageous enough to hold their own and explore their choices.”

Well done Mitchell Hope for your fantastic work in the new upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants. Mitchell was cast in the role of Ben, the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney’s iconic “Beauty and the Beast”) Check out the Arrive Trailer right here!

Choreographed by Chris Horsey and starring Michael Falzon, Luke Kennedy, Matt Lee and Ben Mingay, this show is famous for its cool, suave and sometimes audacious interpretation of both new and classic swing songs.

Mitchell Hope as Prince Ben in Descendants, an upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie. Mitchell Hope plays the benevolent Prince Ben, son of Beast and Belle from Disney’s iconic Beauty and the Beast. Set to air in 2015, the live action move explores the teenage lives of the children of some of Disney’s greatest villain characters. Congratulations on your hard work Mitchell!

“From the mischievous mind of one of Queensland’s favourite actors, Dash Kruck (A Tribute of Sorts), ‘I Might Take My Shirt Off’ is the story of Lionel and the reluctant world-premiere of his debut cabaret show; a musical evening of sex, booze, boys and mythical beasts.“

Jacob Holt appears in ‘Winners and Losers’ currently airing on Channel 7. He also acted in ‘Never Tear Us Apart – The INXS Story’ as a Young John Fariss. Jacob Learned to play the drums within a few weeks for preparation of that role.

“‘His Mother’s Voice’ had its lighter moments, which made it doubly enjoyable, including the endearing performances of actors Monica Sayers and Alice Keohavong during the negotiation and arbitration scene.” – Michelle Baltazar

Presented By bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company

Writer Justin Fleming

Director Suzanne Millar

In the Kingdom of Contradiction – it is raining, yet the sky is blue with sun.

Shanghai, 1966. When a young Chinese boy is secretly taught to play the piano by his mother, in defiance of Communist Party edicts, a train of events is set in place that leads them to the eye of the storm in a dangerous confrontation between Shanghai and Canberra.

From the birth of China’s Cultural Revolution to the eve of theTiananmen Square protests Justin Fleming’s dazzling new play weighs the price of defiance in the face of brutality. His Mother’s Voice is a love story: the love between two young people from different worlds; the love that drives a mother to great sacrifice; the love of a young man for his country.

In this World Premiere production, the company that brought you Great Expectations in 2012 returns to ATYP with a story about growing up, stretching your wings, and being true to yourself in the face of overwhelming odds.

Australian actor Mitchell Hope will play Ben, son of Belle and Beast, in ‘Descendants.’

Rowena Mohr and Mary-Ann Vale, agents at BMEG are thrilled to announce that MITCHELL HOPE has been cast as Ben in Disney’s “Descendants”.

“Disney Channel is tapping an Australian newcomer to play one of the lead roles in Descendants, a 2015 adventure-comedy movie that will focus on the sons and daughters of heritage Disney characters.

Melbourne-native Mitchell Hope, 19, will play Ben, the benevolent son of Beast and Belle from Beauty and the Beast who is poised to assume the throne of his contemporary kingdom.

Ben’s first action is to offer a chance at redemption to the trouble-making children of such classic villains as Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar. They will be allowed to attend prep school with the offspring of such heroes as Fairy Godmother, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Mulan and will have to decide whether to help their imprisoned parents return to power or work for the common good and save the kingdom.

Earlier this week, Dove Cameron of Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie was cast as Mal, the daughter of Maleficent. She will also appear in the Disney Channel film Cloud 9 on Jan. 17.

Hope submitted an audition tape he made via his Australian agent.

“We were intrigued by Mitchell’s natural acting style, boyish charm and winning personality and when we brought him to Los Angeles to read opposite Dove, it was apparent that he embodied the inherent good nature of Ben and the sense of fairness that the character represents,” says Judy Taylor, who oversees casting at Disney Channel.

“Redfern Now is the first drama series written, directed and produced by Indigenous Australians. The highly celebrated and multi award winning drama of 2012. Recipient of Most Outstanding Drama at this year’s TV Week Logie Awards, the critically acclaimed Redfern Now returns for another extraordinary season.” – http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/redfern-now/

So make sure you tune in and watch the deadly skills of BMEG’S: Rhimi Johnson Page, Sam Conway, Katherine Beckett and Richard Green.